Agitating apparatus for flocculating treatment of suspensions



Sept. 9, 1969 T. M. JABLON 3,466,016

AGITA'IING APPARATUS FOR FLOCCULATING TREATMENT OF SUSPENSIONS Filed May 10, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. THEODORE M. JABLON d dom A T TOR/V57 Sept. 9, 1969 'r. M. JABLON AGITATING APPARATUS FOR FLOCCULATING TREATMENT OF SUSPENSIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1968 R m mm a WA NJC 1M M n. w w a m I ll 7//// H Arron/v5) p 1969 'r. M, JABLON AGITATING APPARATUS FOR FLOCCULATING TREATMENT OF SUSPENSIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 10, 1968 INVENTOR.

THEODORE M. J4 BLON 'fefifflr'e 27am" 4 T ORNEY Sept. 9, 1969 'r. M. JABLON AGITATING APPARATUS FOR FLOCCULATING TREATMENT OF SUSPENSIONS Filed May 10. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 am w INVENTOR. THEODORE M. JABLON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,466,016 AGITATING APPARATUS FOR FLOCCULATING TREATMENT OF SUSPENSIONS Theodore M. Jablon, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Dorr- Oliver Incorporated, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 644,275, June 7, 1967. This application May 10, 1968, Ser. No. 734,838

Int. Cl. B01f 11/00 US. Cl. 259-100 33 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the fiocculating treatment of a suspension of solids or turbudity in liquids in a horizontal throughfiow tank by way of gentle mechanical agitation, and more particularly to improvements in the agitating mechanism wherein a horizontally extending flexible assembly of agitating means is endwise suspended, and the assembly is moved up and down along predetermined paths.

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 644,275, filed June 7, 1967, now abandoned.

The liquids or suspensions to be treated in the apparatus of this invention may, for example, comprise raw water, sewage, trade wastes or any suspension wherein it is desired to flocculate the solids through the operation of a suitable agitating mechanism in a fiocculating tank, with or without the aid of fiocculating chemicals.

More particularly, this invention is concerned with improving the agitating mechanism that operates in a horizontal throughfiow tank, of the type disclosed in US. patent to Lindell No. 3,164,379.

This earlier mechanism comprises flexible agitator elements in the form of bands or ribbons endwise suspended in the manner of catenaries suitably spaced laterally from one another. These agitating elements consist of tough flexible strip material, for example thin gauge stainless steel band which may be between .010 and .020 inch thick and 2 to 4 inches wide. Each end of these agitator elements or bands is hinged to the lower end or cross bar of a depending frame structure by a hinge connection, each frame structure being swingable about a horizontal axis located above the liquid level, the axes of the two frame structures being horizontally spaced from, and parallel to one another. Simultaneous swinging movement imparted to these supporting frames will produce up-and-down movement to the agitator elements, thus to impart to the body of liquid the desired type of agitation.

The agitating mechanism thus conceived according to the aforementioned reference patent is simple, inexpensive, and light in weight, and can be readily fabricated substantially from readily available purchasable or readily produci'ble parts. Moreover, by the use of the flexible agitator elements this mechanism is readily adaptable to any size of horizontal throughfiow tank.

However, in operation the band material of the agitator elements may eventually become subject to fatigue due mainly to catenary tension stresses combined with the effect of the reversals of flexure of the agitator elements incident to the continuous up-and-down movement of the assembly in the body of liquid in the tank. Such tension stresses will increase with increasing agitating speeds.

It is among the objects of this invention to avoid the above stated stress problem in the agitating elements, and also to eliminate the numerous terminal hinge connections of these elements, and to facilitate the assembly.

Another object is to provide uniform agitating effi- 3,466,016 Patented Sept. 9, 1969 ciency throughout the volume of water in the tank, incident to the movements of the assembly of the agitating members, and the swinging movement of the supporting frames.

The foregoing objects are attainable by the provision of an assembly which comprises a pair of horizontally spaced linear flexible support elements extending substantially horizontally, to which are fastened transverse spaced rigid agitating members. The ends of the flexible support elements are connected to the respective frames.

One feature lies in the provision of means for adjustably connecting the rigid agitating members to the flexible support elements.

According to another feature the rigid agitating elements are turnably adjustable about their horizontal axis to change the angle of an agitating blade.

Another feature provides transverse agitating members having blade means operating in a complementary fashion whereby substantially uniform agitating effects are attainable throughout the body of liquid in the tank.

According to still another feature, the ends of the flexible support elements are readily attachable to, or detachable from the respective lateral projections of the respective supporting frames.

In a preferred embodiment, the agitating members are clamp-fastened to supporting ropes which are endwise hinged to the swingable frames.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or of forms that are their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a horizontal throughfiow fiocculating tank equipped with the agitating mechanism embodying this invention, showing the arrangement of the rigid transverse agitating members.

FIG. 2 is a vertical part-sectional view of the tank and mechanism, taken on line 11 in FIG. 1, showing the agitating members and the catenary shape of the flexible supporting elements hinged to the swingable supporting frames.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional View taken on line 3-3 of the mechanism in FIG. 2, showing means for adjustably fastening the profiled rigid members to the supporting flem'ble elements.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 in FIG. 3, further illustrating the adjustable fastening means for the agitating members.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the mechanism taken on line 5--5 in FIG. 1, showing the terminal hinge connection of the flexible supporting elements to the swingable supporting frames.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 5, further illustrating the hinge connection.

FIG. 7 is a detail plan view of another embodiment of the transverse agitating members, featuring rotational as well as lateral adjustability of a bladed member on the supporting flexible elements.

FIG. 8 is an end view taken on line 88 in FIG. 7, illustrating fastening connections providing for rotational and lateral adjustability.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, showing another form of fastening connections.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a modified form of the bladed agitating member of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of bladed agitating members, featuring a blade having mutually complementary agitation elfects.

FIG. 13 is a perspective detail view of one of the bladed agitating members shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of bladed agitating members providing mutually complementary agitating effects.

FIG. 15 while similar to FIG. 14, provides still another arrangement of the bladed agitating member.

The flocculating agitating mechanism of this invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2 operates in a horizontal throughflow tank 10 which comprises a bottom 11, sidewalls 12 and 13, an influent end 14, and an efiluent end 15.

In the agitating mechanism an assembly of rigid horizontally spaced parallel agitating members 16 extends transversely of a pair of linear flexible parallel supporting elements 17, with clamping connections 18 provided for adjustably fastening the rigid agitating members to the flexible supporting elements 17. In this embodiment the flexible elements 17 are in the form of a rope material which, for example, may be stainless steel wire rope or nylon rope which is light, tough, and resistant to chemical effects and corrosion. The rigid agitating members in this embodiment have angular cross-sectional profile with the apex 20 pointing upwardly. The edges of the shanks 21 may have cut-outs 22 to fit over the rope elements, which cut-outs may define the horizontal spacing of the ropes. The agitating members may preferably consist of a material having a favorable weight/strength ratio, yet resistant to chemical effects and corrosion, for example, aluminium, or fiber glass, a reinforced plastic.

Each of the rope elements is formed with a terminal loop 23 having securing clamps 23a and 23b, to be hingedly connected to respective supporting frames 24 and 25 swingable about respective parallel horizontally spaced axes. Accordingly, the upper end offrame 24 is swingable in journal bearings 28 and 29 mounted upon respective sidewalls of the tank, while frame 25 is similarly supported in journal bearings 30 and 31.

Frame 24 comprises as component members a transverse top member 33, a pair of side members 34 and 35, and a transverse bottom member or rod 36, all component members being rigidly connected to one another to constitute the frame. Horizontal parallel agitating slats or ribbons 37 or the like interconnect the side members of this frame. The companion frame 25 is similarly constituted and arranged.

The lower ends or horizontal transverse bottom members or rods have end portions 38' projecting laterally from the respective side members of the frames, providing pivots for convenient attachment or hinge connection thereto of the terminal loop portion 23 of the rope elements 17. In this embodiment, there is inserted into each terminal loop 23 of the ropes a water-lubricated bearing sleeve 39 or a sleeve provided with a Teflon bearing liner 40 or the like, which in turn is fitted over a respective lateral projection or pivot 38 of a respective frame. A peg 41 or the like secures this hinge connection on the frame.

It will be seen that the assembly of agitating elements above described possesses great structural and operational flexibility and adaptability, inasmuch as the rigid agitating members are individually readily removable or attachable, and the spacing between them readily adjustable. Also variable is the horizontal spacing of the rope elements, which renders the assembly adaptable to supporting frames of various widths. Also adjustable is the length of the rope elements in view of the extra length available at 42. The length of the rope might also be lengthened or shortened as by splicing or the like. Thus, an assembly of rigid agitating members and flexible supporting rope elements is readily attachable to, or detachable from, the supporting 4 frames simply by sliding the terminal loops onto or off the respective lateral projections of the swingable frames.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11, the rigid transverse agitating members comprise a bladed member 43 clamp-fastened to respective supporting flexible elements or ropes 43a, so that each agitating member is adjustable laterally as well as rotationally about a horizontal axis. In this example, therefore, the bladed member comprises a horizontal tube 44 from which extend a pair of oppositely directed blades 45 and 46. The tube provides pivotal end portions 47 adjustably clamped to the supporting rope. However, terminal pivot members 48 (see FIG. 11) may be tight-fitted into respective ends of the tubes. A simple diagonal U-clamp connection 49 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Another clamp 50 in FIG. 9 is formed with a pair of parallel hook-shaped portions 51 engaging the rope. FIG. 11 also shows a blade edge of undulating shape 52 indicating how the edge effect may be increased in the flocculation operation.

From FIG. 2 it will be seen that up-and-down agitating movement may be imparted to the above described assembly of agitating members by means of an actuating mechanism for alternatingly winding and unwinding a pair of flexible draft elements 52 connected to the lower ends of respective sides of frame member 25. For that purpose a winding shaft '53 mounted on journal bearings 54 and 55 is rotated by motor 56 in one direction for raising, and in the opposite direction for lowering the assembly of agitating elements. Suitable control means, including electric circuits and limit switches, may be provided for controlling this reciprocating operation, but are not shown.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the agitating means comprise transverse rigid agitating members '57 having agitating blades so constructed and arranged as to provide mutually complementary agitating elfects to the end of attaining substantially uniform agitation throughout the body of liquid in the tank, incident to the up-anddown movement of the assembly and the swinging movement of the supporting frames.

These agitating members comprise a tubular member '58 similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10, as well as fastening means or clamp devices (not shown) which also may be similar to those in FIGS. 8 to 10. The blade means fixed upon this tubular member comprise a pair of upwardly and downwardly directed blades 59 and 60, respectively, and a pair of horizontal opposedly directed blades 61 and 62. In the perspective detail view in FIG. 13 of such a bladed agitating member, pressure equalizing passages 63 are provided in the blades.

As this assembly of agitating elements is moved, say upwardly it will be seen that in the lowermost phase P-l the horizontal component movement predominates as indicated by arrows A-l. In the intermediate phase P-2, both the horizontal and the vertical components may be substantially equal as indicated by arrows A-2 and A-3, respectively. In the upper phase 19-3, the vertical component will predominate as indicated by arrow A4. Accordingly, in phase P-l of movement the agitating effect of the vertical blades will predominate, while also stirring up and re-suspending any fiocs from tank bottom. However, as the assembly moves upwardly the horizontal blades gradually take over the agitating effect containing a maximum in the upper phase P-3.

The embodiment of FIG. 14 provides the mutually complementary agitating elfect as between vertical blades and horizontal blades, although in this case there are vertical blades 65 and horizontal blades 66 provided on separate tubular members 67 and 68 respectively.

In any instance, the hollow tubular members in these agitating means when closed at the ends (see FIG. 13) will also provide weight-compensating buoyancy. Such buoyancy would also have the effect of flattening the catenary shape of the flexible agitating assembly, thereby substantially equalizing the spacing of the agitating members from the tank bottom and their sweeping effect upon any sediment thereon.

The construction of the bladed agitator members in FIG. 15 resemble that of FIG. 14, except that the agitator blades 70 are shown to be inclined at an angle of about 45, with the downward slope directed towards the eflluent end of the tank as indicated by arrow A. While providing agitation components both in the horizontal and vertical directions, this arrangement will also provide bottom sweeping effect.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention provides a horizontal throughflow flocculating tank or the like with an inexpensive simple assembly of efficient agitating elements on ropes or other suitable linear flexible elements possessing practically universal adjustability and adaptability, consisting of lightweight materials resistant to chemical effects and corrosion. The ends of the ropes are readily attachable to and detachable from the respective supporting frames, with the rigid agitator elements individually and independently adjustable within the flexible agitating assembly. Furthermore, the construction and arrangement of the agitator elements themselves may be such that substantially uniform agitation efliciency is attainable throughout the body of liquid in the tank. Also, the bladed agitator elements may be so arranged that settled floc material or the like is swept from the bottom and resuspended so as to be carried along with the eflduent from the tank.

It will be understood that each of the elements or two or more together, of the apparatus herein described, may also find application in agitator mechanisms other than the type described above.

Furthermore, while the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a flocculating agitating mehanism comprising an up-and-down movable assembly of rigid transverse agitator members fastened to a pair of linear flexible supporting elements, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural as well as functional changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a horizontal throughflow type of liquid treatment tank, an agitating apparatus which comprises a first frame structure mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis and extending from said axis into the liquid body in said tank, and having a lower transverse member spaced a substantial distance from said horizontal axis parallel thereto,

a second substantially similar frame structure mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis parallel to, and horizontally spaced a substantial distance from said first horizontal axis, and extending from its axis into the liquid body in said tank,

at least a pair of linear substantially horizontal substantially parallel flexible support elements, a plurality of horizontal transverse rigid agitating members carried by said flexible support elements horizontally spaced from one another,

fastening means for securing said agitating members on said flexible support elements, thereby insuring the spacing of the flexible elements from one another, while maintaining longitudinal flexibility of the assembly;

means for hingedly connecting the ends of said flexible support elements to respective frame structures at points located a substantial distance from the respective horizontal axes, so that up-and-down swinging movements of said frame structures will alternately raise and lower the assembly of said agitating members, and actuating means for imparting said swinging movements to said frame structures.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said agitating members are removably fastened to said support elements, so that the spacing of said agitating members from one another is adjustable.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible support elements transmit the swinging move-- ment of one frame structure to the other frame structure, and wherein said drive means comprise reversible winding means mounted a horizontal distance away from the axis of said one frame structure, and flexible draft means having one end connected to said one frame structure at least a substantial distance away from said axis, and the other end connected to said winding means, said winding means being effective through said draft means to raise said agitating members when said winding means is 1'0- tated in one direction, and to lower said agitating members when rotating said Winding means in the opposite direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise clamp devices.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible linear support elements are in the form of rope.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible linear support elements are in the form of stainless steel rope.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible linear support elements are in the form of nylon rope.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible linear support elements are in the form of rope, and said agitating members are clamp-fastened to said rope.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible linear support elements are in the form of rope, formed with terminal loops, and each of said hinge connecting means comprise a sleeve surrounded and engaged by a respective loop, and pivot means on said frame structures cooperating with respective sleeves.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said support elements are in the form of rope, and said agitating elements have angular cross-sectional profile with the apex pointing upwardly, and said agitating elements are clamp-fastened to said ropes.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein pivot means extend laterally from respective sides of respective frame structures, and the ends of said flexible support elements are hingedly connected to said pivot means.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said pivot means extend laterally outwardly from respective sides of the frame members.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the frame structures comprise a transverse rod at the lower end having laterally projecting free end portions providing pivot means for hinge connection with said flexible support elements.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said agitating elements have pivotal ends secured to said flexible support elements, so as to be turnably adjustable about their horizontal axes.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said agitating elements comprise a tube member, and agitating blade means extending from said tube member.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said agitating members has vertical blade means as well as horizontal blade means.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said agitating member comprises a tubular member, vertical blade means extending from said tube member, and horizontal blade means extending from said tube member.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said vertical blade means comprise a set of upwardly and downwardly extending blades, and said horizontal blade means comprise a set of blades extending in opposite directions.

19. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said support elements are in the form of rope.

20. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said support elements are in the form of steel rope.

21. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said support elements are in the form of nylon rope.

22. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said support elements are in the form of rope formed with terminal loops at each end, with the addition of pivot bearing members surrounded and engaged by respective loops.

23. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said support elements are in the form of rope, said agitating members having angular cross-sectional profile with the apex pointing away from the rope.

24. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said agitating members have pivotal ends secured to said flexible support elements, so as to be turnably adjustable about their horizontal axes.

25. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said transverse agitating members have pivotal ends secured to said flexible support elements, and have transversely extending agitating blades.

26. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said transverse agitating members have transversely extending agitating blades formed with irregularly shaped transverse edges.

27. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said transverse agitating members have transversely extending agitating blades formed with transverse edges of undulating shape.

28. The assembly of agitating elements according to claim 16, wherein at least one of said agitating members has blade means as well as horizontal blade means.

29. The assembly of agitating elements according to claim 28, wherein said agitating member comprises a tubular member, vertical blade means extending from said tubular member, and horizontal blade means extending from said tubular member.

30. The assembly according to claim 28, wherein at vertical blade means comprise a set of upwardly and downwardly extending blades, and wherein said horizontal blade means comprise a set of blades extending in opposite directions.

31. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein at least one of said agitating members comprises a tubular member one set of blades extending in opposite directions from said tubular member, and another set of blades extending from said tubular member in a direction substantially different from said one set of blades.

32. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said agitating members comprises a tubular member, one set of blades extending in opposite directions from said tubular member, and another set of blades extending from said tubular member in a direction substantially diflerent from said one set of blades.

33. For use in a liquid treatment tank, an assembly of agitating elements, which comprises a pair of linear substantially parallel flexible support elements carrying a plurality of transverse rigid agitating members spaced from one another,

and fastening means for removably connecting said agitating members directly to said flexible support elements, so that the spacing of said members from one another is adjustable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,164,379 1/1965 Lindell 259--1OO FOREIGN PATENTS 123,126 10/ 1927 Switzerland.

ROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 259-20 

